Jay Z is spearheading a group of A-list artists pushing to ban rap lyrics from being used in court, according to Rolling Stone.
Hov has rallied Meek Mill, Big Sean, Fat Joe, Yo Gotti and Killer Mike, as well as R&B stars Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke, in supporting a proposed New York state law that seeks to prevent prosecutors from using rap songs as evidence of alleged crimes.
The star-studded collective have lent their signatures to a new letter urging urging state lawmakers — including Gov. Kathy Hochul — to pass a bill titled “Rap Music on Trial”.
The legislation, which was unveiled in November, seeks to limit the admissibility of a defendant’s music or other “creative expression” as evidence shown to a jury.
The bill would force prosecutors to provide “clear and convincing evidence” that a defendant’s creative expression, such as a rap song, is “literal, rather than figurative or fictional.”
On Tuesday (January 18), the bill was passed by the Senate Codes committee, providing a major boost to its chances of being put to a full vote on the senate floor.